A new outdoor terrace could open at a London pub which is famous as a live music venue where The Rolling Stones performed, however neighbours have raised fears that plans for a new outdoor terrace at The Half Moon in Putney would mean late night disturbances and a loss of their privacy.

The plans submitted to Wandsworth Council by pub chain Young's would see the terrace built at first floor level with a retractable roof and spiral staircase.

The appearance of the pub, on Lower Richmond Road, would also be improved with fresh paintwork and minor redecoration.

The pub was rebuilt in 1903 and later evolved into a live music venue, with famous performers including The Rolling Stones and The Who. 

A statement supporting the application said the changes would be a "considerable investment" in the pub to "improve its long-term viability, making it more attractive and inviting for potential patrons".

The statement said the pub could sell a "better range" of food under the proposals, while punters could use the internal and external areas "with ease". They added the plans would revamp the venue, "improving its popularity and customer base, and ultimately securing its long-term viability".

Visualisation of plans for Half Moon. Credit: Planning Potential/Young's, provided in Wandsworth Council documents

In objection letters to the council locals claimed the outdoor terrace would overlook flats in neighbouring John Keall House and raised concerns about noise.

A representative of residents' group Felsham Road Co-operative, an estate close to the pub, said they are "already affected by noise".

She said: "There are a variety of residents on the estate from young families to elderly and disabled residents who will be greatly impacted by the increase of noise that will occur. This will be a particular issue in the warmer months of the year when our residents wish to have their windows open and use their gardens on the estate."

She claimed there would be a "significant reduction" in privacy for people living in John Keall House "as the roof terrace will be overlooking residents' bathrooms and bedrooms". 

Another objector, who has lived in John Keall House for 23 years, said her main objection to the application concerns noise.

She said: "Due to recent refurbishments over the past two years, the noise level has drastically increased and is already at the point where local residents, including myself, cannot open windows as the music and loud crowd noise goes on until well after midnight. This is particularly bad during the summer evenings, a time when you need to open windows."

She added: "The proposed roof terrace area overlooks the bedrooms and bathrooms in my flat and other residents in John Keall House and will significantly impact our privacy. The roof terrace will also obstruct views currently afforded and I fear the value of properties in John Keall House will be negatively impacted."

Another local said the roof is "currently level" with his living room and the changes would see him "lose all privacy in the main room" of his flat. 

He said: "The proposal as outlined means that during the hours of operation, I would have a large number of patrons overlooking into my flat giving me little to no privacy."

A statement responding to the objections, submitted on behalf of the applicant, said the terrace would not overlook John Keall House as the side that backs onto the development would be non-glazed and have fanlights on top. It added the terrace would be 27.5 metres away from the development.

It also said the terrace would "not create any notable noise disturbance" for neighbours and its opening hours would likely match those of the existing outdoors area. It added the terrace would be managed by staff, with no amplified music allowed.

A Young's spokesperson said: "Young's has submitted a planning application for a new first floor terrace, with retractable roof, at The Half Moon pub. Young's takes its role as a neighbour seriously and the application has been supported by numerous technical assessments to ensure the proposed terrace is appropriate. The planning application is now with Wandsworth Council to decide."